They glued themselves to fuel delivery tankers, glued the vehicles’ locks and lay on the ground, forcing Certas to close.
The group, members of This Is Rigged, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court for sentence on Thursday after being found guilty of vandalism and criminal trespass. They were each fined £840. All five – Hannah Taylor, 23, of Glasgow, Alexander Cowtan, 28, of Fintry, Stirlingshire, Gavin Cheyne, 56, of Portobello, Edinburgh, Kate Prasher, 69, of Melrose, Roxburghshire, and Julia Redman, 72, of Tayport, Fife –denied the offences but did not dispute the facts.
IT professional Cheyne said: “The two tankers we were next to had been out of commission for a long time – as we were told by employees who were trying to point out to us our actions were ineffective. The action we took was peaceful and we were successful in shutting the plant down for a day.” Top news stories today Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon said: “I appreciate you were protesting about climate change but you committed criminal offences which the court will not tolerate.”Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.